Room in the Inn helps couple marry

Room in the Inn helps couple marry

By KATHERINE KNOTT

Feb. 18, 2017

VINE GROVE, Ky. (AP) — Before her wedding, Jenna Mosher — soon-to-be Jenna Weirich — reflected on how her life journey led to Room in the Inn.

Jenna, who recently turned 19, has had her share of challenges in life. She and her fiance, Tanner Weirich, found out about the shelter program facilitated by local churches through a hospital. They had been at the hospital after their living situation took a violent turn.

But maybe it was all meant to be. Room in the Inn gave them more stability. Tanner also found a job through the program.

"It was a light in the darkness," Jenna said. "They've got some amazing people here."

Jenna and Tanner, 23, started dating four years ago and were engaged for a year. After Tanner's first paycheck, Jenna decided it was time to get married.

The folks at Room in the Inn were more than happy to help them out. The couple got married Feb. 14 on Valentine's Day at Heartland Christian Center in Vine Grove, one of the host churches for Room in the Inn.

"It's really a blessing for them to want to get married," Carolyn Ray said. "We are honored that they selected us to start their lives."

Ray is coordinator for the Room in the Inn program at Heartland Christian. The shelter ministry runs during the winter months and helps ensure people in need have a warm place to sleep. Different churches in Hardin County work together to host the guests throughout the week.

Theresa Humes, co-coordinator for the county's northern Room in the Inn, was a key force in putting the wedding together. She baked the cake, helped Jenna make bouquets and curled her hair. She even suggested the date for their wedding.

"What better day to get started on than a day that's meant for love," she said.

For Humes, the wedding highlighted what Room in the Inn was all about.

"How can we make a difference, enrich their lives and give them hope?," she said.

Jenna said having Humes' help and the wedding through the church alleviated some of the stress.

"It means more to me than I can put into words," she said.

Pastor Eddie White provided the ceremony for free.

"Just because you are poor is no reason to not get married," White said.

Tanner was also grateful for the help from Room in the Inn and the church.

"I wanted to marry her for a year and a half," he said. "I love her to death."

Tanner said he was ready to have a partner for life.

"We've had good times and bad times, but through it all, she stayed," he said.

Jes Lacey has known the couple for a month and was a bridesmaid in the ceremony. She said she's usually opposed to young people getting married.

"But the two of them are too perfect together," she said.

After saying, "I do," Tanner and Jenna danced to "Heartbeat" by Carrie Underwood. It was the first song Jenna sang to Tanner.

The wedding reception, complete with sweets baked by church members, continued across the hall. The room was decorated for Valentine's Day.